Chicago improved to 52-17 with its sixth straight victory. The Bulls begin a three-game road trip Wednesday against Orlando before playing Atlanta and Milwaukee.

"We know that it's 14, 13, 12, 11; we're just counting them down until the end of the season. Just a handful of games left before we finish up as a team," coach Phil Jackson said. "We've done something here that's remarkable, but it can't go on forever, we know that. Sometime, the plug's got to be pulled on it, and this is the appropriate time. It's time to go."

The Bulls appear to have the easiest remaining schedule of the three top teams. Utah and Seattle still must play each other once more.

Pippen had 11 rebounds and six assists in one of his best all-around games of the season. Since Pippen's return after missing 35 games with a foot injury, the Bulls have gone 28-6.